Cow Hunt

I've been neurotic about checking my email this morning. 
I'm awaiting a response from a breeder.
Good news will require a 5 hour drive and learning a new set of skills.

I've been on the hunt for a calf. But not just any calf...a Dexter calf.
Did you know that there are over 800 breeds of cattle recognized in the world today?
Each breed has its purpose. Some have better meat quality, some have better milk quality, some are more heat tolerant and others are easier on pasture.

I've grown attached to the Irish Dexters. This breed is also known as the mini cow. 

There are cows all around me. But Dexters are hard to come by. Their owners love them and aren't so keen on selling. Sure I could buy a Jersey at auction; they're practically giving them away. But Jerseys and Holsteins (the average dairy cow) become BIG cows. Honestly, they frighten me.
I've gotta be able to grab her tenders to get my milk.
So, I'll be patient for the girl I want (and am not afraid of).
If I don't get the response I'm hoping for then we'll keep visiting breeders.
At least we're meeting some fun people.

When they say Texas is hot, BOY do they mean it. 
I can't get anything done around here because the heat hits me upside my head with its obnoxiousness.
But, thankfully, my hens will still lay eggs in this heat.
Typically, hens lay less eggs in hotter months.
However, we have been collecting 8-10 eggs per day from our 12 hens.
Most of our eggs are brown.
But, the Araucanas lay a most beautiful blue Easter egg.
True farm raised, free range chicken eggs are not even the same product as their grocery store cousins.  The yolk is so yellow it's orange.  The flavor is richer and yummier. They even bake better.




Livestock Auction

It's a whole new world out here y'all!


Every once in awhile I sing the Little Mermaid song, "It's a whole new world."

With that said...we are in the market for a dairy cow. 
I don't want the corporations' hand in my milk.
I want my family to be able to provide our own food.

I also really love livestock.  When I was little we went to the L.A. County fair in Los Angeles every year.  My favorite part was the livestock area. 
I've always had a tenderness for cows (that's one reason I don't eat them).

So begins our search for a dairy calf.  Here in cattle ranch country there are 2 ways to obtain cattle; from a breeder or from an auction.  Each small town has its own auction.  There are auctions going on a few nights a week and they sometimes last until the wee hours of the morning. 

We went to our first auction in Pittsburg, TX.  I was a bit flabbergasted of sorts.  Wow, the clientele was most unusual.  Where have these people been all my life. 
How have I gone all these years and not been in a room with such "interesting" people.  Heavenly Father forgive me.  I enjoyed every minute as each animal was marched across the auction block.  Everything from cows, goats, chickens, to boxes of dollar store packaged pastries.  Yup, nothing was exempt from being sold at this auction.
I relished in the amazement that was this new experience. 
With every heifer (female cow) the auctioneer said:
"look at dat purty heifer rait der". 
magic.

We walked away that evening wondering where we had landed.
Nathan asked us why it was so crusty in there. 

We gave another auction a try.
Next we went to the auction in our town, Winnsboro. 
I'm glad to announce to that it was a much better environment.  The room was filled with gentleman in large hats seriously participating in the orderly process. 
The auction was clean, organized and exciting. 

It so happens that during the auction my kids were being most ornery, especially Rachel (surprise).  I had to throw her on my hip and head down the steep stairs.
I fell.
I sent David a text. But, I added the wrong number to my cell phone.
So, an unfortunate stranger received this text message:
"Did u see me fall down the stairs? These damn kids".

Still haven't gotten my cow.

4th Festivities

The 4th of July is typically a day of parades, an abundance of food, a house full of friends, swimming and more swimming.

Parade...check
Food...check
House full of friends...womp
Swimming...does a plastic pool count?

Actually, we found a familiar face at Winnsboro's first annual 4th of July Parade. And thank God we did. We were feeling most lonesome. Our friend goes to church with us and we bombarded her with our friendliness and convinced her to go to Sonic (predictable as we are) with us.
We parted ways and came home to spend the sweltering afternoon boiling in our newly installed (from the box) plastic pool. It sufficed.

Later we went back into town for the fireworks.

Enter culture shock. God bless rural America.

A storm rolled through and delayed the fireworks. We took shelter in the truck as we waited for the rain (that we've been praying for) to pass.

Around here it's well known that everything moves on country time.
Which means really s.l.o.w. 
Until the folks are waiting for their fireworks show. That's when they demand diligence.

But it was well worth the wait. Seriously the most bestest fireworks show ever. Typically, I require Elvis' Trilogy to be played in conjunction with a display of fireworks. But this year Elvis was not necessary. So good.

Different and unfamiliar can be good.

Crummy cell phone pic



Backyard Picnic

The littles have been getting lost...finding themselves in the backyard.

The lazy days of summer have been filled playing with animals, catching frogs in the creek, petting the neighbors horses, picnicing and camping in the forest...all in their swimsuits.